ِ َِّ ‫ ا‬

ِ ََّْ ‫ِْ ِ اَِّ ا‬

(19) “O people of the Book! Now has come to you Our Messenger (SAW) making (things)
clear unto you, after a break in Messengers, lest you say: "There came unto us no bringer of
glad tidings and no Warner" But now has come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a
Warner.” There has not been a time period when Allah (SWT) did not send His
Messengers to mankind up till Prophet Jesus (AS). Then He sent His Last
Prophet (SAW), after whom there will be no Prophet or Messenger, who came
after a long break in the series of Prophets between him and Jesus (AS). This
interval between the time of Jesus (AS) and the time of Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) is known as Fatrah. Allah (SWT) sent His Final Prophet (SAW), so that on
the Day of Judgment people should not be able to give an excuse for their
not following Islamic Monotheism and say that no one came to give us good
news or warn us. Thus the Final Messenger (SAW) came to them as one who
brought good tidings for the believers and as a Warner from evil. “And Allah is
Able to do all things.” Allah has power all things.

(20) “And (remember) when Moses (AS) said to his people: "O my people! Remember the
Favor of Allah (SWT) to you, when He made Prophets among you, made you kings, and gave
you what He had not given to any other among the mankind."” There was a continuous
chain of Prophets sent to the Children of Israel. He bestowed on them His
blessings, made them kings and gave them kingdoms which were never
given to anyone of His creatures but they neglected His Prophets and
rejected them. Thus because of their evil deeds and disobedience, there
came a time when there was no Prophet among them and Allah (SWT) made
their enemies overwhelm them, who captured many of them, killed them
and took possession of their lands.

(21) “"O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah (SWT) has assigned to you, and turn not
back (in flight) for then you will be returned as losers."” Allah (SWT) directed His
Prophet Moses (AS) to lead the Children of Israel to the Promised Land i.e.
Palestine, which had been promised to Abraham (AS) as a land in which the
pious and Allah-fearing of his offspring would live and uphold Allah's law.
Thus Moses (AS) commanded His people to enter the holy land and recapture
it from their enemies; otherwise they themselves will be the losers in the
sight of Allah (SWT).

(22) “They said: "O Moses (AS)! In it are a people of great strength, and we shall never enter
it, till they leave it; when they leave, then we will enter."” The Children of Israel
refused to enter the Promised Land and gave excuses that our enemy is
strong and vicious and more powerful than us. And therefore we will never
be able to defeat them and we will only enter this city, when they leave.

(23) “Two Allah-fearing men among them on whom Allah (SWT) had bestowed His Grace
said: "Assault them through the gate, for when you are in, victory will be yours, and put
your trust in Allah (SWT) if you are believers indeed."” The Children of Israel were six
thousand strong but still there was no one amongst them who agreed to
fight for Allah’s cause except for two pious, Allah-fearing men. They were
Joshua and Caleb. They encouraged their people to go forward and fight in
Allah’s cause, and they said to them that if you obey Allah (SWT) and follow
His commandments then surely He will help you and make you victorious
over your enemies.

(24) “They said: "O Moses (AS)! We shall never enter it as long as they are there. So go you
and your Lord and fight, we are sitting right here."” The Children of Israel showed
cowardice and refused to fight their enemy. They rebelled against Allah's
commandments and committed blasphemy to such an extent that they
replied to Moses (AS) that you and your Lord fight yourself with the enemies
and we are not going to join you.

(25) “He said: "O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother, so separate us
from these rebellious people!"” After the Children of Israel disobeyed Allah's
commandments and refused to fight, Moses (AS) invoked Allah (SWT) against
them and supplicated to Him to separate him and his brother Aaron (AS)

from these disobedient people.

(26) “Allah (SWT) said: "Therefore it is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they
will wander through the land. So be not sorrowful over these rebellious people."” This
refers to the exodus of the Children of Israel. As a punishment for their
cowardice Allah (SWT) let them wander homeless in the desert for forty years
till one full generation of Israelites died and was replaced by a new
generation brought up in the tough conditions of the desert life.

(27) “And recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam in truth; when each
offered a sacrifice, it was accepted from the one but not from the other. The latter said to the
former: "I will surely kill you." The former said: "Verily, Allah accepts only from those who
are pious.” This story is about the two sons of Adam (AS) and Eve, Abel and his
brother Cain. Eve used to give birth each time to twins: a boy and a girl.
Allah (SWT) revealed to Adam that he should marry each son to the twin
sister of the other. Adam (AS) instructed his children according to Allah's
(SWT) command, but Cain was displeased with the partner chosen for him, for
Abel's twin-sister was not as beautiful as his own. This attraction caused
Cain to envy his brother Abel and he rebelled against Allah's (SWT) command
by refusing to accept his father's advice. Then to settle the dispute Allah
(SWT) commanded Prophet Adam (AS) that each of his son should offer a
sacrifice, and he whose offering was accepted he will marry with his choice.
Abel offered his best camel, while Cain offered his worst grain. His sacrifice
was not accepted by Allah (SWT) because of his disobedience to his father and
the insincerity in his offering. This enraged Cain even further and he
threatened to kill his brother. But Abel advised his brother that instead of
threatening him he should look into his own mistakes as to why Allah (SWT)

did not accept his sacrifice.

(28) “"If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me, I shall never stretch my hand
against you to kill you, for I fear Allah (SWT); the Lord of the Worlds."” Abel was an
Allah-fearing person and very obedient to His commandments. Thus he
refused to fight Cain even after he had threatened him because he did not
want to hurt his brother and attain Allah's displeasure.
(29) “"Verily, I intend to let you draw my sin on yourself as well as yours, then you will be
one of the dwellers of the Fire, and that is the recompense of the wrongdoers."” Abel
reminded his brother of the consequences of the evil of killing an innocent
person. He warned Cain that if he kills him then he will not only bear the
burden of the sin of the murder but he will also be burdened by his sins,
and thus will become an inmate of Hellfire, which is the punishment for the
wrong-doers.

(30) “So the soul (self) of the other encouraged him to the murder of his brother; he murdered
him and became one of the losers.” i.e. his Nafs (inner-self) prompted him to kill his
brother making it seem fair to him, thus he killed him and in the process
ruined his life.

(31) “Then Allah (SWT) sent a crow who scratched the ground to show him to hide the dead
body of his brother. He said: "Woe to me! Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide
the dead body of my brother?" Then he became one of those who regretted.” After killing
his brother, Cain did not know what to do with his corpse. He carried it on
his back wandering from place to place with his conscience saddled with
guilt. Then, Allah (SWT) sent two ravens that began fighting, causing the
death of one. The victorious bird used its beak and claws to dig a hole in the
ground, rolled its victim into it and then covered it. After Cain saw this, he
felt ashamed and regretted of what he had done. He then buried his brother
in the sand and thus it became the first burial of man.

(32) “Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not
in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all
mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.” Allah
(SWT) decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills an innocent soul
will be as if he has killed the whole of humanity except for the punishment
of murder i.e. Qisas1, or making mischief in land. Likewise, Allah (SWT)

ordained for them that whoever saved a life, it is as if he saved the whole
humanity. It is stated in Talmud2 that “He who destroys one soul of a human
being, the Scripture considers him as if he destroyed a whole world, and him
who saves one soul of Israel, the Scripture considers him as if he saved a
whole world...”3 In Islam also, the protection of one soul from being killed is
regarded equal to giving life to all humankind. Similarly, the killing of a soul
without any justification is equal to the killing of the entire human race, as
stated in this ayah. Further Allah (SWT) states: “And indeed, there came to them
Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them
continued to exceed the limits in the land!.” Allah (SWT) sent His Messengers to the
Children of Israel one after the other. They came with teachings and clear
evidences of truth, but still they transgressed the limits set by Allah (SWT) by
committing major sins and doing oppression unjustly.

(33) “The recompense of those who wage war against Allah (SWT) and His Messenger and do
mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet
be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world,
and a great torment is their lots in the Hereafter.” This ayah mentions the
punishments for those who oppose Allah's commandments and His
Messenger (SAW) i.e. commit treason against an Islamic state, thus making
mischief on land. These four punishments are applied according to the
gravity of the crime committed viz. execution for committing murder or
becoming an apostate, crucifixion, cutting hands and feet from opposite
sides for the crime of theft and exile from the land. Those who commit these
crimes will be humiliated in this world by these punishments and they will
suffer a grievous punishment in the Hereafter.

(34) “Except for those who repent before you overpower them; in that case, know that Allah
(SWT) is OftForgiving, Most Merciful.” This ayah refers to idolators that rebel
against an Islamic state and make mischief in land. It means that the
punishment for such people who repent afterwards is annulled provided
they repent before they are caught by the authorities. Surely Allah (SWT) is
Forgiving and Merciful and He forgives all sins of those who repent.

(35) “O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah (SWT) and fear Him. Seek the means of
approach to Him.” In this ayah Allah (SWT) commands His servants to obey Him
sincerely and avoid everything which is against His Will or law and seek the
means of nearness to Him. Allah (SWT) has prescribed for us a number of
types of means to approach Him4. The best of which is to call upon Allah
(SWT) by means of His perfect Names such as a Muslim saying in his
supplication: “O Allah (SWT) I ask you by your Mercy…I ask you being the
Most Gracious…” etc. The proof of this is in the following ayah: “The most
beautiful names belong to Allah (SWT), so call on Him by them…”5 “And strive
hard in His Cause as much as you can. So that you may be successful.” Then Allah (SWT)

encourages His servants to do Jihad in His cause and fight against the
enemies of Islam and promises eternal bliss and happiness for those who
obey His commandments.

(36) “Verily, those who disbelieve, if they had all that is in the earth, and as much again
therewith to ransom themselves thereby from the torment on the Day of Resurrection, it
would never be accepted of them, and theirs would be a painful torment.” This is the
actual reality of this world, which is close to nothing as compared to the
blessings of the Hereafter. Thus on the Day of Judgment, no amount of
ransom will be accepted from those who rejected faith in order to save
themselves from the grievous punishment of the Hellfire, even if they bring
this earth full of gold or twice as much.

(37) “They will long to get out of the Fire, but they will never get out therefrom, and theirs
will be a lasting torment.” i.e. they will never be able to escape the torment of
Hellfire and they will live there forever.

(38) “Cut off the hand of the thief, male or female, as a recompense for that which they
committed, an exemplary punishment from Allah (SWT).” An Islamic state has an
obligation to protect the five essentials of life and ensure that they remain
safe viz. religion, life, honor, mental health and one’s property. Thus Islam
protects these essentials of life by means of the punishments which Allah
(SWT) has prescribed to attain peace and security. This ayah describes one of
these punishments prescribed for theft in Islam i.e. to cut off the right hand
of the thief, whether male or female, from the wrist joint, so as to deter
others from committing such crimes. “And Allah (SWT) is All-Powerful, All-Wise.”
i.e. Allah (SWT) is All-Powerful to punish whoever He wants in whatever way
He Wills, and He is also All-Wise i.e. He knows what is better for His
servants.

(39) “But whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds, then verily, Allah
(SWT) will pardon him. Verily, Allah (SWT) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Sometimes a
Muslim may fall into that which Allah (SWT) has forbidden. But Allah (SWT)

says that He is Kind and Merciful to His servants. Thus if anyone repents
sincerely after he has committed the crime, Allah (SWT) will accept his
repentance and forgive him.

(40) “Don’t you know that to Allah (SWT) belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth!
He punishes whom He wills and He forgives whom He wills. And Allah (SWT) is Able to do
all things.” i.e. Allah (SWT) owns everything and He does what He Wills for His
creatures and no one can question His decision or judgment.

(41) “O Messenger (SAW)! Let not those who plung headlong into unbelief grieve you, of such
who say: "We believe" with their mouths but their hearts have no faith.” This ayah refers
to the hypocrites who embrace Islam but soon after deviate from belief in
Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW). They only pretend to be faithful but in
reality they are the bitter enemies of Islam and its followers. “And of the Jews
are men who listen much and eagerly to lies, listen to others who have not come to you.” i.e.
there are those amongst Jews who are eager to catch up any lies against
Prophet Muhammad (SAW). They also attend his gatherings and listen to
what he says, so that they can convey it to his enemies who cannot attend
Prophet’s (SAW) gatherings or come near him. “They change the words from their
places; they say, "If you are given this, take it, but if you are not given this, then beware!"”
i.e. they distort their books and alter its meanings so that they can hide its
knowledge from their people. Further, whenever they brought their disputes
to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), they would decide beforehand that they would
accept Prophet’s (SAW) decision if it is in their favor, otherwise they will not
accept it and walk away. “And whomsoever Allah (SWT) wants to put in trial; you can
do nothing for him against Allah (SWT). Those are the ones whose hearts Allah (SWT) does not
want to purify; for them there is a disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a great
torment.” i.e. whoever Allah (SWT) intends to put on trial and error then there
is none who can save him from His punishment, in this world and in the
Hereafter.

(42) “(They like to) listen to falsehood, to devour anything forbidden.” i.e. they eagerly
listen and indulge in falsehood so that they can eat what is forbidden for
them e.g. usury and bribes. ”So if they come to you, either judge between them, or turn
away from them. If you turn away from them, they cannot hurt you in the least. And if you
judge, judge with justice between them. Verily, Allah (SWT) loves those who act justly.”
When the Jews came to the Prophet (SAW) for a judgment, they did not seek
the truth and justice but hoped that some partiality will be shown in favor of
them. Therefore Allah (SWT) says to His Prophet (SAW) that there is no harm
on you O'Muhammad (SAW) if you do not want to adjudicate between them
because of their behavior and partiality, but if you do act as judge, then
judge between them in fairness, for Allah (SWT) loves those who judge with
fairness.

(43) “But how do they come to you for judgement while they have the Torah, in which is the
(plain) judgement of Allah (SWT); yet even after that, they turn away. For they are not (really)
believers.” It was reported that this ayah was revealed regarding some Jews
who came to the Prophet (SAW) for a judgment concerning a man and a
women amongst them who committed adultery. The Prophet (SAW) said to
them: “What would you do in this case” They said: "We would humiliate and
expose them.'' The Prophet recited: “Bring here the Torah and recite it, if you
are truthful.” So they brought a man who was blind in one eye and who was
respected among them and said to him, "Read (from the Torah).'' So he read
until he reached a certain verse and then covered it with his hand. He was
told, "Remove your hand,'' and it was the verse about stoning. So that man
said, "O Muhammad (SAW)! This is the verse about stoning, and we had hid its
knowledge among us.'' So the Messenger ordered that the two adulterers be
stoned, and they were stoned to death.6
(44) “Verily, We did send down the Torah, therein was guidance and light, by which the
Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's Will, judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the
priests for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses
thereto.” In this ayah Allah (SWT) praises the Torah which He revealed to His
Prophet Moses (AS), for the Children of Israel. It contained the guidance and
the light from Allah (SWT) to take them out of the darkness of ignorance and
show them the right path. All the Prophets sent to the Children of Israel
followed the laws of Torah by which they judged the Jews and they did not
deviate from the straight path i.e. they submitted themselves to the Will of
their Lord. Not only the Prophets but also the Rabbis and their Jurists
judged according to the laws of Torah. They were entrusted with its
protection and to be the witnesses of its truth and to testify that they had
made it known to the people. Then Allah (SWT) said: “Therefore fear not men but
fear Me and sell not My revelations for a miserable price.” Allah (SWT) commanded the
Children of Israel to fear Him alone and not to distort or conceal what He
has revealed to them in fear of other men or to suit their own desires. “And
whosoever does not judge by what Allah (SWT) has revealed, such are the disbelievers.” Along
with the People of the Book, this ayah also applies to those Muslims who do
not follow the Qur’an and judge their matters according to it. There is not a
single Islamic country on the face of this earth today that judges or decides
its matters solely according to what Allah (SWT) has revealed. This ayah
concludes that those who judge or rule according to what Allah (SWT) has
revealed are Muslims and those who do not judge or rule according to what
Allah (SWT) has revealed and distort Allah's revelations then they are Kafiroon
(disbelievers).

(45) “And We ordained therein for them: "Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear,
tooth for tooth, and for wounds equal punishement."” This ayah indicates that Allah
(SWT) ordained the law of retribution in the Torah as it is in Islam, but the
Jews defied the ruling and refused to accept the divine commandments. “But
if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shall be for him an expiation.” i.e. if
the victim forgives the aggressor and does not retaliate then it becomes an
expiation for his sins and he will have his reward with Allah (SWT). “And
whosoever does not judge by that which Allah (SWT) has revealed, such are the wrongdoers.”
Here this ayah refers to the Jews who do not follow Allah's commandments
and give false judgments. They only follow their lusts and desires and do not
judge their matters according to what Allah (SWT) has revealed to His
Messenger (SAW). Thus Allah (SWT) says that they are unjust and evildoers
(Zalimoon).

(46) “And in their footsteps, We sent Jesus (AS), son of Mary (AS), confirming the Torah that
had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel, in which was guidance and light and
confirmation of the Torah that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for the
pious.” In the continuous chain of the Prophets sent to the Children of Israel,
Jesus (AS), son of Mary (AS) was the last one. He was sent to confirm and
verify the truth of Torah and rule by its laws. Allah (SWT) gave him Injeel
which also contained guidance and light to direct people towards the right
path. It was a guidance and admonition for the pious and the righteous and
it came verifying the truth of the previous Scriptures, like the Torah. Jesus
(AS) said that he did not come to abrogate the Torah7, but to complete it by
going to the spirit of its substance and to get at its essence.

(47) “Let the people of the Injeel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.” The
Christians are being warned to judge according to what Allah (SWT) revealed
to them, and believe in all that is present therein including the coming of the
Allah's Last Messenger (SAW) with His Last and final revelation i.e. the
Qur’an. “And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the
transgressors.” Here this ayah specifically refers to the Christians who rebelled
against and abandoned the truth that Allah (SWT) revealed to them through
His Prophet Jesus (AS). But this ayah does not only apply to the Christians
or the Jews, but to any one, a Muslim or a non-Muslim who does not
submit himself totally to the authority of Allah (SWT) and abandons the truth.
He becomes a disbeliever, a wrongdoer or a transgressor (Fasiq) according
the degree of his disobedience.

(48) “And We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming the Scripture that came
before it and to safeguard it.” Allah (SWT) revealed this Qur’an to Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) with the truth that it is indeed coming from Him. It came
confirming the truth of all the earlier scriptures, guarding them in truth i.e.
preserving them from distortion and corruption, for it has within it the
teachings of all the previous Books. “So judge between them by what Allah (SWT) has
revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to
you.” Allah (SWT) commands His Prophet (SAW) to judge and rule according to
the laws prescribed in the Holy Qur’an and do not judge according to the
desires of these ignorant people, thus diverging away from the truth. “To each
among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way.” Allah (SWT) ordained a law and
a way of life for every Messenger and his nation, and when human thought
and intellect progressed from infancy to maturity reaching its climax, He
revealed His final law and way of life for all mankind to come, to His Last
and Final Messenger, Muhammad (SAW). “If Allah (SWT) willed, He would have made
you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you.” i.e. if Allah (SWT)

had Willed He would have made all mankind into a single nation with one
language, one religion and one law. But in His perfect Wisdom He divided
mankind into different nations and gave them different laws to govern at
their given time so as to test their abilities and obedience to Him in
everyone’s own capacity. He will thus reward them or punish them
accordingly. “So strive as in a race in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah (SWT);
then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ.” Allah (SWT) encourages
His servants to vie with one another in doing virtuous and righteous deeds.
And commands them to be always mindful of the fact that your final return
is to Allah (SWT), who will show you the truth of those matters in which you
disputed.

(49) “And so judge between them by what Allah (SWT) has revealed and follow not their vain
desires” This ayah is repeated here to emphasize the importance of this
command. “take heed lest they turn you far away from some of that which Allah (SWT) has
sent down to you.” i.e. beware of the Jews who are always in search of an
opportunity to deceive you and wish to turn you away from the truth. “And if
they turn away, then know that Allah's Will is to punish them for some sins of theirs.” i.e.
if they disbelieve then know that it is Allah's Will to deviate them from the
truth and scourge them for some of their sins. “And truly, most of men are
transgressors.” i.e. majority of the people in the world have rebelled against
Allah's obedience and thus deviated from the truth.

(50) “Do they then seek the judgment of (the Days of) Ignorance.” This ayah applies to
all those who seek judgment from laws other then what Allah (SWT) has
prescribed for His servants, defy His commandments and instead follow
their own desires and lusts. In other words every judgment which does not
come from the Book of Allah (SWT) or the Sunnah of His Messenger (SAW) is of
the Jahiliyyah (days of pagan ignorance). “And who is better in judgment than
Allah (SWT) for a people who have firm Faith.” Allah (SWT) is the Creator of mankind
and He has the perfect knowledge of everything. Therefore He knows best
what is beneficial for them and what is harmful to them.

Foot Notes
[1] Execution for committing deliberate murder.
[2] The collection of ancient rabbinic writings consisting of the Mishnah, text of the Oral Law, and the Gemara, a
commentary on the Mishnah, constituting the basis of religious authority in Orthodox Judaism.
[3] Talmud, Mishnah Tractate Sanhedrin 4:5 (37a).
URL: www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Talmud/sanhedrin4.html
[4] Cf. Tawassul; Its types and its rulings. By Sheikh Naasiruddeen al-Albanee.
[5] Surah Al-A’raf (7) : 180.
[6] Sahih Al-Bukhari : 4556.
[7] Gospel of Matthew 5 : 17.
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